Ladies&#39; foundation garment



7. 9 A, STONE ETAL 2,757,379

LADIES FOUNDATIONGARMENT Filed Dec. 15; 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a A L F2215 E g/v5 ATTORNEYS Alig- 7, 1955 A. STONE ETAL LADIES FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed Dec. 15. 1 953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .5. h I p0 H I v :i

31 fl M INVE OR ALFRED TONE ALEX ROSENBERG BY JUL/U5 HILLMAN ad,

ATTO R N EYS United States Patent LADIES FOUNDATION GARMENT Alfred Stone, New York, Alex Rosenberg, Long Beach, and Julius Hillman, Bellrose Manor, N. Y.

Application December 15, 1953, Serial No. 398,373 4 Claims. (Cl. 243) The present invention is concerned with a ladys foundation garment commonly known as a girdle and with a composite garment that combines such foundation garment with a panty or the like.

It is among the objects .of the invention to provide a' ticular permits unimpeded walking or striding by the- Wearer without riding up or down, or wrinkling across the stomach, or binding of its edge against the thighs, which lends itself to stylish design, and which may readily be manufactured without undue cost for materials or labor.

Anoher object is to provide a panty-girdle structure in which the panty element involves a minimum of fabric afi'ixed to the girdle, which fabric may be of lingerie in which correct fit of the girdle does not entail binding of the panty at the crotch and in which the panty affords thigh control, yet does not restrain the freedom of the girdle.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one or more of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective front View showing the foundation garment upon the body,

Fig. 2 is a perspective rear view of the garment similar to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a detail cross-sectional view on a somewhat larger scale, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a pantygirdle embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a detail cross-sectional view, on a somewhat larger scale, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 is a perspective rear view of the garment shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the lower front part of said garment turned inside out, and

Fig. 9 is a plan view of one segment of the lingerie fabric section of the panty.

Referring now to the drawings, the foundation garment of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a main girdle span 10 which preferably includes hip covering portions that have elasticity both in horizontal direction, or direction transversely of the wearer, and in vertical direction, or along the height of the wearer, so that the garment in place will mold the body which it embraces into pleasing lines. Preferably the main girdle span is a unitary piece of fabric which has elasticity both in horizontal and vertical direction throughout its entire area, so as to stretch in any direction as suggested by the radiating arrows shown on Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The garment also includes a median front panel structure Pof textile fabric, elastic in a vertical direction,

panel P being preferably substantially inelastic horizontally or transversely. The front panel structure preferably includes a main area 11 of isosceles trapezoidal form, with its shorter base 12 at the upper end of the garment and its longer base 16 near the widest portion of the hips. The front panel structure includes a pair of triangular flaps 13 and 14 extending from and wholly below the longer base 16 of the trapezoidal area 11, the bases of said triangular flaps being in overlapping or superposed relation and being substantially coincident with the lower or longer base 16 of the trapezoidal area 11. Each of the triangular flaps .13 and 14 has a leg 17 and 18 respectively, extending substantially as continuations of the respective legs 17 and 18 of the trapezoidal area 11, to substantially the lowermost-extremity of the garment. The lateral edges of the main girdle span 10 are stitched at 19' to the respective lateral edges of the front panel structure P, the upper portion of each lateral edge of the girdle span being stitched lengthwise of the corresponding legs 17 and 18 of the trapezoidal area 11 of the front panel structure, and the lower'portion of each said lateral edges being stitched to the adjacent side 17*, 18 of the corresponding triangular flap 13, 14.

The main girdle span 10 as shown, ends well below the top of the front panel structure to leave room for a belt 20, preferably elastic longitudinally and substantially inelastic transversely, stitched at its ends at 21 to the respective uppermost lateral portions of the trapezoidal area 11, the entire length of the belt being stitched as at 22 to the upper edge of the main girdle span 10.

Similarly the triangular flaps 13, 14 of the front panel structure extend somewhat below the lower edge of the main girdle span 10 to afford room'for binding 23 elastic in a longitudinal direction but substantially inelastic transversely, which is stitched at its ends to the lowermost parts of the lateral sides of the triangular flaps, the entire length of binding 23 being stitched at 24 to the lower edge of the main girdle span.

Each of the triangular flaps 13 and 14 has a third oblique side 25 and 26, respectively, extending from the end of the trapezoid base 16 obliquely outward to the lowermost end of the opposite side and lower edge of the binding 23 on the girdle span 10, said oblique sides being in the character of hypotenuses of triangles that do not depart far from a right angle triangle, as shown. The two oblique sides of the triangular flaps are thus in crossed relation, one extending downward and outward from one end of the trapezoidal base 16 to the left, the other extending downward and outward from the opposite end of the trapezoidal base 16 to the right as shown. These flaps are in symmetrical relation and said oblique sides cross or intersect at the mid portion of the front panel structure, and are free from connection with each other between their ends.

While each trianglular flap 13 and 14 might be separate and distinct and stitched or connected to the trapezoidal area 11 of the front panel P at the lower or longer base 16 thereof, the construction shown in the drawings is preferred, in which the outer triangular flap 13 constitutes a part unitary, integral with and cut from the same piece as the trapezoidal area 11 of the front panel structure P, as shown. Preferably the under triangular flap 14 is a piece separate from the trapezoidal area with its unitary triangular flap, and is stitched as at 27 at its horizontal base along the longer and lower base 16 of the said trapezoidal area. The trapezoidal area 11, its triangular flap 13 as well as the under triangular fiap 14, have their elasticity in a vertical direction and are preferably substantially inelastic in direction horizontally or 1 transversely of the garment.

along the inner face thereof near its hypotenuse 2.5, 26. Preferably garter strap loops 28 are stitched near the outer or lower ends of the crossing hypotenuses of the triangular flaps between the flap and its binding, each strap loop carrying a corresponding garter 29 which thus extends inboard to conform with the usual movements of the wearer. Companion garters 3i) are stitched to the lower peripheral binding 23 some three or four inches laterally beyond the corresponding lateral edges of the front panel structure.

In wear, the main girdle span conforms to and smooths out bulges or wrinkles in the body of the wearer, the belt girdling the waist and the lower binding 23 the thig ES. The median front panel structure P, by virtue of its elasticity in vertical direction, conforms to the body lengthwise rather than transversely, while the elasticity of the main girdle span It] draws the front panel structure l transversely, thereby to flatten out eventual bulges and wrinkles in the stomach. The tension of the garters attached to the stockings does not interfere with the snug fit of the girdle and its front panel. By virtue of the inboard relation of the garters 29, they will conform to the action of the body in walking, bending, striding, stooping, flexing or sitting, normally or with legs crossed.

With each step in walking or striding, the triangular flap 13 or 14 as the case may be, flexes outwardly with the forward motion of the leg against the elasticity of the adjacent portion of the main girdle span and without strain upon the trapezoidal area ll of the front panel structure, which remains taut, unwrinkled and uncreased, so that no binding, discomfort or displacement occurs. Upon taking the next step or stride, the displaced triangular flap 13 or 14 as the case may he, returns to its normal position by reason of its elasticity and of the elasticity of the associated main girdle span lb. The transverse seam along the lower base of trapezoidal area 11 obstructs any transmission of tension that would tend to make the garment ride or slide or wrinkle in any direction. The garmom will remain snug against the body not only in Walking but in all other postures of the wearer, standing, sitting and bending, stooping or flexing and without binding, creasing or cutting.

In the embodiment of Figs. 4 to 9, showing a pantygirdle, the general structure is the same as that above described, and corresponding parts bear the same reference numerals primed.

In this case the panty portion preferably involves two identical small areas of lingerie fabric F connected by a suitably curved median crotch seam 32 extending the major part of the length thereof, the two connected sections of fabric F being stitched at their respective edges 35 lengthwise of the sides of a corresponding V notch V in the bottom of the mid section at the rear of the main girdle span 10 to extend as a gore G in said V notch. The opposite edge 36 of each of the two sections F of the lingerie fabric overlaps the respective seams 17 and 18, where they are stitched in place to the lateral edges of the main girdle span lfl. The two straight edges 34- of the respective fabric sections F that intervene between crotch seam 32 and edge 36 conjointly extend in end to end relation the length of the base 16 of the trapezoidal area 11 of the front panel section and are stitched as shown along the corresponding entire length of the side or base, preferably of the under triangular flap 14.

Each leg of the panty as described, is composed of one of the lingerie portions F set forth and so much of the lower portion of the main girdle span ll) as extends from the gore G to the neighboring lateral edge of the front panel structure P. Each leg is formed with an elastic peripheral edge binding 37 stitched thereto at 38, as shown.

The garters 29' are desirably positioned on said elastic binding 37 respectively near the edge of the main girdle span I0 and garters 30 to the lower edge of the main girdle span adjacent the gore G.

By the arrangement described, the panty cannot bind at the crotch, and since the front of the panty is anchored to the under triangular flap 14, no undue strain is exerted to displace, move, crease, wrinkle or otherwise detract from the snug fit of the trapezoidal area 11 of the front panel structure P. The presence of the panty in no wise interferes with the movement of the triangular flaps 13 and 14' as above described, when the wearer Walks or strides, and yet affords thigh control in the manner of a pair of bloomers.

The lingerie fabric F of the panty being attached to the inside of the girdle, and wholly below the taut lower trapezoidal base 16, it acts freely without restriction, regardless of the action of the girdle.

It is seen that the garment in each embodiment is made of a minimum number of pieces of conventional fabric and with a minimum of labor, that it lends itself to stylish appearance and has the various advantages above pointed out.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above de- 'scription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A ladys foundation garment comprising a main girdle span having elastic portions, a trapezoidal front panel structure extending the height of the garment, having its longer base lowermost, and elastic in the direction of the height of the garment and connecting the ends of said span, a belt affixed to and extending the length of the upper portion of said main girdle span, said belt being peripherally elastic and longitudinally substantially inelastic, the lower end of the front panel structure having two triangular flaps elastic in direction of the height of the body with substantially coincident bases extending the width of the corresponding portion of the front panel structure, at least one of said flaps being stitched along the length of such coincident bases across the width of such front panel, such stitching defining the line of demarcation between the trapezoidal front panel and the triangular flaps, said triangular flaps having sides defining the lower portions of the lateral edges of the front panel structure, the third side of each triangular flap extending obliquely respectively from the lowermost portion of each side of the front panel structure to the base of the triangular flap at the opposite side of said panel structure, said obliquely extending third sides being disconnected with respect to each other throughout their lengths and crossing at the mid portion of the width of the front panel structure.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 in which the main girdle span constitutes a unitary piece of material, elastic both longitudinally and transversely throughout its area, and stitched at its edges with respect to the lateral edges of the front panel structure, in which the front panel structure above the triangular flap is of single ply and the structure is substantially inelastic transversely thereof and extends above the upper edge of the main girdle span and in which the belt is stitched lengthwise of the upper edge of the main span, and is stitched at its respective ends to the lateral edges of the upwardly protruding length of the front panel structure, the triangular flaps of the front panel structure extending below the lower edge of the main girdle span, and binding peripherally elastic and vertically substantially inelastic is stitched lengthwise of the lower edge of the main girdle span and is stitched at its ends to the protruding lower parts of the respective triangular flaps of the front panel structure.

3. A ladys foundation garment comprising a main girdle span of fabric, elastic both longitudinally and transversely, a front panel structure extending the height of the garment and comprising an isosceles trapezoidal area having its longer base lowermost, and a triangular flap unitary therewith beyond said longer base thereof, a second like triangular flap stitched to the lower face of said trapezoidal area along the longer base thereof, said stitching defining the line of demarcation between the trapezoidal front panel and the triangular flap unitary therewith, said triangular flaps each having a leg respectively constituting an extension of the legs of the trapezoidal area, the third side of each triangular flap extending obliquely from the corresponding lowermost vertex to the opposite end of the base of the trapezoidal area, the main span being stitched at its respective ends to the respective lateral edges of the front panel structure, the front panel structure extending above and below the upper and lower edges of the main span, and a belt and a lower binding stitched at their ends respectively to the edges of the protruding portions of the front panel structure and stitched lengthwise of and to the respective upper and lower edges of the main span of the garment.

4. A panty-girdle comprising a main girdle span of fabric elastic longitudinally and transversely, an elastic belt portion stitched to the length of the upper edge of said span, a front panel structure vertically elastic and horizontally substantially inelastic, having a main area of trapezoidal shape, with its longer base lowermost the ends of said main girdle span and the elastic belt being stitched to the respective lateral edges at the upper end of said front panel structure, the front panel structure having a triangular flap integral with the lower base of said trapezoidal main area, one side of said triangular flap being an extension of one leg of said trapezoidal main area and being stitched to the corresponding part of the lateral edge of the main girdle span, a corresponding triangular flap vertically elastic and horizontally substantially inelastic, stitched along its base to the under side of the lower base of the trapezoidal main area, said stitching defining the line of demarcation between the trapezoidal front panel and the triangular flap integral therewith and extending at one side as a continuation of the other leg of said trapezoidal main area, and stitched to the corresponding edge portion of the main girdle span, the third leg of each of the triangular flaps extending obliquely outward from the corresponding end of the trapezoidal base to substantially the lower end of the garment at the opposed side of the front panel structure, the oblique sides of the triangular flaps intersecting in superposed relation and being disconnected with respect to each other between their ends, a panty portion comprising two identical pieces of lingerie fabric stitched together along the crotch line, the inner lateral edge of said panty fabric extending the length of and constituting a gore stitched lengthwise of the sides of a corresponding V in the middle of the lower rear portion of the main girdle span, the outer edge of said fabric being stitched to the lateral edges of the main girdle span, and the edge length of said lingerie fabric between the end of said crotch line stitch and said outer edge extending substantially the length of and being stitched to the transverse base portion of the underlying triangular flap of the front panel structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

